Missing Laksa in LA ...Out of Luck?

There isn't much in the way of Singaporean food in LA. So what do you do when you're craving it? Would you hold out or would you try your luck?

The Singaporean restaurants I know of are only Singapore Express, and Banana Leaf. Since I was heading to the 3rd St Farmer's Market for the fruit juices at Eple anyway, I wondered if I should try out Banana Leaf. A majority of their menu is decidedly Indonesian, like "nasi goreng"/fried rice etc. Being Indonesian I can't justify my eating Indonesian food at a Singaporean restaurant, especially with Simpang Asia so nearby.

I've been craving, but wasn't sure if I should try my luck here, but in the end I did anyway. Here's a bowl of Laksa from Banana Leaf: Now, the last time I had laksa was what, IMHO, the best katong laksa in Singapore: 328 Katong Laksa. So how does Banana Leaf's Laksa compare? Well ... it's not bad, but it really doesn't. I thought the soup was not bad and they add an adequate amount of the chili sauce, but it was just full of fishballs. While katong laksa contains the right amount and proportion of shrimp, squid, and fish sticks, Banana Leaf's laksa contains a bit of tofu and a whole lot of fish balls ... I like their bean sprouts touch, but otherwise it doesn't quite do it for me. Oh, and it's missing the coriander.

I guess when you're really craving laksa, it's a decent bowl to tide you over until you can make it down to Singapore. This part of the world is sadly underrepresented in LA, hopefull that will change one day ..

Singapore's Banana Leaf
6333 W 3rd St # 122
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-4627

Fresh Fruit Juices, with a Kick

Summer is the time for ice creams, shaved ice, smoothies, and ice blended drinks! We heard that Eple at the 3rd St Farmer's Market at the Grove has great smoothies so we decided to give it a try. It's a chic looking place that seems a bit out of place at the farmer's market. It was right next to a Pinkberry and I heard it is owned by Pinkberry also.We went up to order, but it turns out that they don't actually have "smoothies." What they have is fresh fruit juices blended with a little bit of ice.

I love mint so I ordered the watermelon and mint juice. It was really refreshing and I like it better than smoothies since it doesn't fill you up with all that sugary yogury/sorbet. The flavors worked out really well! Watermelon is such a refreshing summer fruit, perfect for the summer heat. And mint is also refreshing and cooling. As the heat picks up I'll be craving this drink again and again, I'm sure.

They also had a special that day: the peach and mango juice (pictured to the right).



Their fruit bowls are very pretty and well-decorated and the fruits they used are great. But $8 for this?
I don't think it's worth $8 ... I guess you're paying for the looks. I'd rather go to the produce vendors and grab a bunch of fruits for a lot less!

I was really happy with my fruit juice from this place, and I'll definitely be back for that watermelon-mint one!

Èple
Third Street Farmer's Market at the Grove
6333 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 933-9211‎